BRS Demands Judicial Probe into Minister's Alleged Illegal Mining Activities in Telangana
In a significant political development, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) on Monday formally urged Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla to order a comprehensive inquiry into the alleged illegal mining and land-grabbing activities involving Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. The opposition party submitted detailed documentation and demanded immediate action against the minister.
Delegation Meets Governor with Serious Allegations
A high-level BRS delegation, led by party working president KT Rama Rao, personally met Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla at Raj Bhavan in Hyderabad. The delegation presented a formal representation accompanied by substantial documentary evidence detailing what they described as systematic irregularities and violations of established norms.
The BRS has called for the immediate dismissal of Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy from the state cabinet and demanded an independent judicial inquiry into the matter. The party specifically requested that the investigation be conducted under the supervision of a sitting judge of the High Court to ensure complete transparency and impartiality in the proceedings.
Specific Allegations Against Raghava Constructions
BRS leaders presented detailed allegations against Raghava Constructions, a company reportedly owned by Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. According to their submission, this company has been engaged in extensive illegal mining activities that violate multiple environmental and regulatory frameworks.
The allegations include:
- Illegal mining operations conducted in restricted zones, specifically within the catchment areas of twin reservoirs
- Operations carried out without mandatory clearances and permissions
- Absence of required mineral dealer licenses
- Lack of pollution control board approvals
- No proper electricity permissions or industrial clearances
The BRS claims these illegal activities have resulted in the loss of public resources worth hundreds of crores of rupees, representing a significant financial burden on the state and its citizens.
Assembly Controversy and Government Response
The delegation highlighted that when these serious allegations were raised during assembly proceedings, the ruling Congress government responded by suspending and expelling BRS MLAs and MLCs rather than addressing the substantive issues. This action, according to BRS leaders, demonstrates the government's unwillingness to confront corruption allegations within its own ranks.
Interestingly, the BRS noted that the government itself admitted in the assembly that formal notices had been issued to Raghava Constructions regarding these violations, lending credibility to their allegations while raising questions about why stronger action hasn't been taken.
KTR's Strong Criticism of Congress Government
Addressing media representatives after the meeting with the governor, KT Rama Rao launched a scathing attack on the Congress government. He stated that the administration, which came to power promising to establish 'Indiramma Rajyam' (a reference to people-friendly governance), has instead created conditions reminiscent of the Emergency era.
"The Congress government has completely betrayed the trust of Telangana's people," KTR asserted. He pointed out that even Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla had endured imprisonment during the actual Emergency period, making his perspective particularly valuable in assessing the current democratic climate in the state.
Proposed Investigation Mechanisms
KTR outlined two potential pathways for a proper investigation into the allegations:
- Formation of a legislative committee comprising MLAs and MLCs from across party lines to conduct a thorough examination of the evidence
- Establishment of a completely independent judicial probe with appropriate oversight mechanisms
The BRS leader expressed significant reservations about state investigative agencies, particularly the CB-CID, given that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy himself holds the home portfolio. This arrangement, according to KTR, creates inherent conflicts of interest that could compromise any investigation conducted by state agencies.
Call for Governor's Intervention and BJP Criticism
The BRS delegation urgently requested Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla to intervene in the interest of justice and democratic principles. They specifically asked him to direct an impartial investigation, either through the appointment of a sitting High Court judge or by involving central investigative agencies that operate independently of state government influence.
In a notable political observation, KTR also criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its silence on the issue. "The BJP has completely failed to exert any meaningful pressure on the state government regarding these serious allegations of corruption," he stated, suggesting that opposition parties should unite in demanding accountability from the ruling administration.
The BRS's formal approach to the governor represents a significant escalation in their efforts to hold the government accountable for alleged corruption. The party has positioned this as a test case for the Congress government's commitment to transparency and good governance in Telangana.
